People in Exeter and across Britain are facing the worst peace time decline in their living standards since the Great Depression. That’s the grim verdict of the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies. Worst hit are families on middle and low incomes with children. The reason: the Government’s policies are destroying economic growth and failing to get to grips with the aftermath of the global banking crisis. They are also penalising families most with cuts to tax credits and childcare while food electricity, gas and electric costs are soaring. With my Labour colleagues in Parliament we are working to persuade the Government to change course. If you have examples of how you or your family is being hit please contact me.

Many of you have told me you are deeply worried about the impact of the Government’s upheaval of the NHS. It is madness to embark on the biggest re-organisation in the NHS’s history when it faces its tightest spending ever. The result will be longer waits and a worse, more fragmented service. Labour is still fighting the plans in Parliament and I’m grateful to all of you who have contacted me to express your support for the NHS.

Rogue private car park operators have made life a misery for people in Exeter who have had their cars clamped or been fined unfairly. With fellow Labour MPs I supported a move in Parliament to give people a right of appeal against unfair treatment. Unfortunately Tory and Lib Dem MPs voted the plan down.